Government Reform

RESTORING THE INTEGRITY OF THE POLITICAL PROCESS

“When I arrived in the Senate in 1993, I decided that my office would abide by the Wisconsin Code of Ethics for Public Officials and Employees and the same ethical rules that I had observed as a member of the Wisconsin State Senate. Since then, I have enforced a strict ban on accepting work-related gifts for myself and my staff.

When first campaigning for the Senate in 1992, I promised Wisconsinites that I would not accept a pay raise during my term in office. I have kept that promise, and have continued my vigilance against “backdoor” pay raises for members of Congress. Because members of Congress have the power to raise their own pay, and because they are paid with taxpayer money, the congressional pay raise process deserves the highest level of scrutiny.

We’ve been successful in the areas of campaign finance and lobbying and ethics reform in recent years and I will continue to push efforts to make our government more open and accountable to the American people.”

- Senator Russ Feingold

Historic Lobbying and Ethics Reform Legislation – On the heels of one scandal after another involving cozy relationships between lobbyists and members of Congress, Russ was joined by then-Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) in introducing the most sweeping ethics and lobbying reform legislation in a generation. Significant parts of this landmark bill were signed into law in September 2007. Among the specific reforms Russ and then-Senator Obama successfully championed are:

• Curbing Gifts and Privately Funded Travel: The new law ended the practice of lobbyists, or organizations that employ lobbyists, from giving gifts to senators or staff, and required senators, senate campaigns, and presidential campaigns to fully reimburse for the use of corporate jets at the charter rate. The bill also limits privately funded travel paid for by groups that lobby to one-day events only – with preapproval by the Senate Ethics Committee. Travel reports for individuals will also now have to be publicly disclosed on the Internet. These provisions build on Russ’s work with Senator John McCain (R-AZ) in 1998 to place restrictions on gifts.
• Prohibiting Elaborate Parties for Members of Congress at Party Conventions: The new law ended this practice once and for all.
• Slowing the Revolving Door Between Congress and Lobbying Groups: The new law increases the time senators and senior executive branch personnel have to wait before taking a high-paying lobbying job from one to two years. It expands the ban on former Senate staff lobbying their former boss to include contacts with the entire Senate. It requires more disclosure of lobbyists’ previous employment, ends special privileges extended to former members who are now registered lobbyists, and prohibits staff of a senator from having any contact with family members of their boss who may be lobbyists.
• Improving Lobbying Disclosure: The legislation increases both the frequency and amount of disclosure by both lobbyists and members, and requires that such disclosure be made easily available to the public online.

Giving Americans Increased Opportunity to Have Their Voice Be Heard – Senator Feingold is the lead sponsor of the Election Day Registration Act. The bill brings Wisconsin’s long progressive tradition of fair and open elections to the national stage by allowing what our state already does – same day registration on Election Day – for all federal elections across the country. Election Day registration would also help curb possible fraud since voters would be present to both register and vote.

Russ is also the cosponsor of the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act. This legislation would make it illegal for anyone to knowingly attempt to stop folks from exercising their right to vote and would encourage the attorney general to fully investigate any allegations of misconduct.

Keeping a Watchful Eye on the Courts – Russ supports the Sunshine in the Courtroom Act – a bill that authorizes the presiding judge of a U.S. appellate court or U.S. district court to permit the electronic recording/televising of public court proceedings as long as the jury is not televised and as long as no one’s due process rights are violated.

Recognition of Senator Feingold’s Work on Government Reform – Russ has been honored by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign for his work to help ensure honest government. He’s also been recognized by the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group and Democracy Matters for his work on clean and fair elections.

See Also: Campaign Finance Reform, Fiscal Responsibility